The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD and the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS is the longer of the two lenses at 197mm. The Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD with a length of 99mm, is 98mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS also has a larger diameter of 86mm compared to the Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD's 80mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD weighs 575g, which means it is 560g (49%) lighter than the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS which has a weight of 1135g.
Filter Threads
The Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD has a filter size of 72mm whereas the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS has a 67mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 72mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD:
And these are the 67mm filters that we recommend for the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS:
Lens Mounts
The Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD has the Four Thirds lens mount whereas the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS has the Leica L lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Olympus E-5, Olympus E-600 and Olympus E-620 for the Four Thirds Mount and Leica SL3-P, Panasonic S1 II and Panasonic S1 IIE for the Leica L Mount.
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS is also available in Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts.
Focal Range
Olympus ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD has a focal range of 12-60mm and
5.0X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
24-120mm when used on a FourThirds format camera.
On the other hand, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS has a focal range of 100-400mm and 4.0X zoom ratio .
